ICE detains visiting U.K. political commentator

U.S. revokes visa of Sami Hamdi, a critic of Israel on a speaking tour in California.

- By Sunauna Hussain

SAMI HAMDI is a British commentator who analyzes Middle Eastern politics.

(JACEK BOCZARSKI Anadolu)

Sami Hamdi, a British political commentator who was on a speaking tour in the U.S., was detained by immigration enforcement officers on Sunday at San Francisco International Airport after his visa was revoked.

A Muslim civil rights group said his arrest was retaliation for his criticism of Israel.

Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, announced on social media that Hamdi’s visa had been revoked and that he was being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement until he could be removed. In her post, she also made unsubstantiated claims that Hamdi supported terrorism.

“Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country,” McLaughlin wrote in her Sunday social media post.

Hamdi, who is based in London, had been on a speaking tour in the United States, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights advocacy group. His visitor visa was supposed to last for several months, a leader at the organization said.